Nov 25, 2020 - Last days in Greece

Before I write about our new adventure I’d like to provide some stats of our Summer 2020 cruising the Aegean, once Covid 19 restrictions were lifted. Since 1 June we’ve travelled 1437 nM’s of which 47% was under sail. Our average speed was 4.7 knots and our longest passage was 120 nM in 24 hours. Highlights were Leros (loved it, especially Lakki), Armagos (especially the beach bar). Mykonos, the beautiful anchorage on the south east Pelopennese, Momenvasia and wonderful sunsets. Low points were Meltemi (especially coming in to Batsi), not...

Oct 24, 2020 - Exploring the Aegean

Thursday 3rd – left Mykonos and moved on to Syros. On the way we passed through the Delos strait. It was great seeing Delos from the water (visited there back in 2017) – it’s such a vast site and to think they are still excavating. On the way to the anchorage we looked at Ermoupoulis – no room in the fishing harbours and lots of room on the quayside (which we decided to avoid). This place looks very interesting. But we anchored in the south of the island in O, Varis. Friday 4th – got a lovely and lively sail in today and anchored in Ay...

Oct 1, 2020 - Santorini

When the boat arrived in Santorini harbour, I was overwhelmed by the reception of both humans and animals! The donkeys descended thick and fast down some of the steepest terrain I have ever seen, rushing to meet the ferry and haul the load of tourists up the steep steps to the town perched on the rocks above. Santorini is a submerged volcano that erupted eons ago, leaving a caldera behind. Its steep rock faces are covered with whitewashed villas clinging to the rock face like vines on a brick wall. There is a tradition in Santorini of...

Sep 15, 2020 - Exploring the Cyclades.....

Thursday 27 August, time to push on. Left mid morning for our short hop to Kea, our first island this season in the Cyclades. We anchored of the quayside south of the port and under the Chora (town on the hill – usually the capital of the island). Went ashore to sample some local cheese, which was a real delight. One of our aims this season exploring the Aegean is to sample local cheeses – each island has its own hard and soft cheese. In the afternoon watched the comings and goings of boats on the quayside – most memorable were the Polish...

Sep 15, 2020 - Something cool.

Tuesday 25 left Poros and headed for Sounion and anchored under the Temple of Poseidon. Arrived in the evening just before sunset. After arriving we removed the last lettering of the boats name and then conducted the “Denaming” ceremony: The official ceremony, in which you address Poseidon himself, calls for good champagne, and good friends as witnesses. Once you’re gathered together on the bow of the boat, recite the following: Oh mighty and great ruler of the seas and oceans, to whom all ships and we who venture upon your vast domain are...

Sep 15, 2020 - Hydra

Thursday 20th anchored off Eriminoni where we stayed a couple of nights. Been here before but wanted to the ferry to Hydra for the day, which we did on the Friday. The “Flying Dolphins” took just 20 minutes – which left us a few hours to explore Hydra. Were expecting to see great chaos in the harbour (as has been reported by many who have taken their boats there) but there was plenty of space on the quayside. Robbed of the spectacle. Saturday 22 – Tuesday 25 we anchored in our favourite little cove near Poros. Got some chores completed...

Sep 4, 2020 - More Pelopennese coast

Tuesday 11 & Wednesday 12 stayed at anchor underneath Momenvasia – a beautiful site. Didn’t head into Momenvasia as we visited it winter 2019. The town is wonderful and the view from the water is fantastic. Thursday anchored off Ieraka – a place we haven’t been to before. Friday went a bit further north up the coast passing some really nice places especially Kypririssa – a small village at the foot of the mountains – absolutely striking scenery. Then crossed the bay and anchored in O. Fokianos. Saturday had a look around Poulithra and...

Aug 30, 2020 - Naxos

Naxos is a bigger island than Paros and much larger than Antiparos. I found a lovely little room in a four-plex which even has a communal fridge and a tiny balcony overlooking a rather overgrown garden. Every morning I would wander into the village to buy fresh bread and watermelon for my breakfast -- heaven! I've explored the island on foot, following the rutted roads and pathways that criss-cross the island. Olive groves with lounging goats and sheep are everywhere and the air has a rich, dusty smell to it. I am so totally relaxed after...

Aug 12, 2020 - Let's get going......

Things I forgot to mention: Once some of the restrictions were lifted Gen did manage to get his lower dentures made up – so no more whistling whilst talking and we can eat next to normal. Although it was not encouraged to visit each others boats, we did have on numerous occasions Pete and Kerri over for dinner, which was great fun. Ended up with a bit of a lockdown tummy pounch. One of the projects which needed completing was going up the mast – Gen made this climbing apparatus which got him up the mast and fitting our tri colour light...

Aug 2, 2020 - Our winter 2019 / 20

For a while I was not planning on keeping a (b)log but have decided this has been an unprecedented time that it would be good to keep some sort of written memory of the past 8 or so months. So I begin or rather continue for the Summer 2019 blog. Winter 2019/20 We arrived in our berth in Lefkas marina at the beginning of November in a new berth on B pontoon (which is a distance away from F and G party pontoons). Doug and Josie are on Windsong a couple of boats down and there are one or two other liveaboards on this pontoon too. Wintering in...

Jul 27, 2020 - Paros

Boats to the Aegean Islands leave from the nearby community of Piraeus. I was told the trip to Paros would be a "few hours"......which turned into a gut-wrenching 8 as we stopped at various and sundry islands on the way. The seas were quite rough and I made the mistake of having some very rich coffee and yogurt for breakfast which didn't stay in my stomach for long. I spent most of the trip on deck! My first glympse of Paros was magical. A typical Greek island village, whitewashed with flashes of brilliant turqoise and teal, met my gaze....

Jun 26, 2020 - Athens at last!

After a grueling bus and train ride from Budapest, crossing many borders and varying geography, I have arrived in Athens. I found a lovely room in a small hotel overlooking a square in the Plaka , the old town centre of Athens. It has a beautiful curving wooden balcony that extends out in the square where old men sit on benches surveying the bustling life going on around them. The Plaka fairly pulsates with activity, between the bars and restaurants, the shops and markets, no one stands still for long. Yet, for all its life, Athens is so...